Hey All,You guys were very helpful on my questions about a dust collector so I thought I could pick your brains again. I’m looking for a small compressor for my shop. My old one ( Thomas 200ST ) is a good one that I’ve had for years but it’s just too loud. I’ve been looking for awhile now and I think I’ve narrowed it down to these 2. I’m only an amateur woodworker and not a contractor who’d be using it 8 hrs. a day. I don’t paint and only use air tools occasionally.

28 replies so far

I don’t have either of those, but a few comments and words of caution.

Noise ratings mean nothing. The problem is that there is no standard for where to take readings and in what environment so every company has their own setup. The GMC could have been done outside at 10’ away, while the Rolair was done 3’ away in a 12×12 room, or vise versa. All else being equal sound doubles for each 3db increase. That said, most compressors rated at 80db or below are very quiet.

The other aspect of sound is how often the motor must run to keep the tank filled and how long it takes to do so. I’d rather listen to a bit louder compressor that can fill the tank in less than a minute, rather than a slightly quieter one that runs three times as long/often.

Who builds the GMC? As you point out the Rolair is a known brand, but do you know who actually manufactures the other.

Weight is a two edged sword. Lighter means less to carry, but also makes it more inclined to dance around when the motor is running.

Another compressor I would encourage you to look at is the Makita MAC2400. I don’t have this one, either, but know several contractors who have either it or the slightly smaller MAC700 and they absolutely love them. Quiet, reliable and total workhorses.

For complete disclosure, I mostly use a Porter Cable C2002 pancake compressor in my shop. Like you, I’m a hobbyist, so it’s used with nailers, inflating, dusting off projects, etc. It is a very good unit, but if you want something quiet, look elsewhere.

Here,here, and here is a series of three articles comparing several small compressors. Regardless of what compressor you are looking at, their testing process and conclusions will give you something to think about.

Edited for completeness.

-- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. Thomas Jefferson

I too have the PC Pancake, and it has served my modest needs very well – small nailers, inflating tires, blowing-down my dust collector bags and cartridges, the shop, and shop tools. I’ve had it for 4 years, at least – it’s noisy, but it came with three nailers and has met all of my needs.

By the way, none of these companies actually make their branded air compressors – there are two or three companies that do this for a living – manufacturing to a standard specification, and then brand the product based on a contract.

I’ve had a PC pancake compressor for many years (I think I’m on my 3rd one) and they are good compressors. I’ve even done small spray jobs with it. It truly is loud, but as Jay pointed out recovery time is a big factor. I have a larger compressor in the shop which is considerably quieter, but runs much longer to recover.

Look for one of the “kit” deals that has a compressor and some nail guns. It’s a good way to build your tools and the smaller compressor will do all you need.

Something is seriously wrong with the stated capacity of the Rolair.
4.80 CFM 40 PSI & 4.20 CFM 90 PSI – Max 125 PSI Either the 4.8 CFM at 40 PSI is too low, or the 4.2 CFM at 90 PSI is way high.

Another CON you didn’t mention with the Rolair is the tank size. Not only is it steel, which will rust, but it is 30% smaller which means the pump will be running more frequently.

Rust is a problem because compressed air is HOT and can be full of moisture. When the hot moist air cools it condenses on the inside of the tank. That’s why air tanks are required to have a drain.

The difference between 70 and 80 dba is significant because the scale is logarithmic in nature.In an industrial manufacturing environment we can’t expose workers to 80 dba for a full shift, but 70 is under the limit and permissible.

The manufacturer of the GMC explains the conditions for their sound rating test on their website. It was at 3 ft I believe. But I’m not positive about that.

There are many other machines out there. Generally look for the slowest speed (RPM) you can find.

I have a very old cast iron Craftsman that is belt driven at about 700 RPM. It’s heavy, quiet, and with a 2hp induction motor it is powerful enough for me. I also have a little Porter Cable “pancake ” type that I like because I can throw it in the car or truck and take it to jobs and on the roof or in the attic. It manages to have a reduced run cycle by pumping up to 150 PSI. An alternate strategy to compensate for the small tank. But, when it’s running it is noisy.

My first compressor was a PC kit deal. I got a pancke compressor along with a brad nailer, hose and fittings. Love the brad nailer (still have it) but hated the compressor. It was so LOUD!!!. You’d have to wear ear protection in the next room.

I just did a scan of Home Depot’s web site, there are several in the 20-30 gallon range for under $300. I have heard good things of the Husky brand. When I need to replace my compressor I will be seriously looking at the Husky.

Advice is to go as large as you practically can go. You will not regret the added capacity and rating.

I bought my Craftsman 33gal oil-less compressor over 10yr ago when I really did not have much need for anything but pumping up tires. I moved into impact sockets doing some motorcycle repair and since getting into WW-ing I am using it even more… nail and pin guns, etc. It is loud when it runs but it runs less often and I find myself using it all of the time to dust off my projects prior to finishing and/or between coats. Once you have this much air, you will find more and more ways to use it, IMO. 8-)

to kizerpea “emglo makes the dewalt compressors” this is false dewalt bought out emglo for the name and shortly after decided it was cheaper to buy the pumps in mexico. the original owners of emglo bought out the tooling and after the allotted amount of time went back into business under the name “jenny” http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/tools/jenny-air-compressors.html

so if you bought a Dewalt by emglo you have B&D compressor not that that is bad, but you didn’t get an Emglo.sorry to burst anyone’s bubble

HorizontaLMikeYou make a good point about “going bigger than you think you need”. I kind of have that philosophy on most things. I need to revisit it here too. The only thing is I wanted to be able to take the compressor to a worksite occasionally.

then just have 2. if it is much bigger than a pancake the it is a hassle to take out. and a pancake just won’t do it all in the shop. you can find cheap pancakes on CL. aside from the shop compressor I have a 6gal pancake and a 1/2 gal mini from senco for a few trim nails like in a bath room or trim a single window when you don’t want to drag out the pancake